The Risk Assessment Information System

Introduction

The toxicity profiles in this database were developed using information taken from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) and Health Effects Assessment Summary Tables (HEAST) and other regulatory sources. The profiles and their references are provided to eliminate the effort needed to produce the toxicity profiles presented in the toxicity assessment chapter of a risk assessment and to supplement the human health risk-based preliminary remediation goals presented elsewhere in the RAIS.

In this database, the toxicity profiles are presented in three formats: formal, condensed, and RAGS Part A.

• Toxicity profiles in the formal format are several pages long and are similar to the profiles found in IRIS.
• Toxicity profiles in the condensed format are generally less than a page in length and largely consist of the executive summary from the formal version.
• Toxicity profiles in the RAGS Part A format, are maintained with current toxicity information and are designed for inclusion in the main body of a risk assessment. According to RAGS Part A, "A short description of the toxic effects of each chemical carried through the assessment in non-technical language should be prepared for inclusion in the main body of the risk assessment. Included in this description should be information on the effects associated with exposure to the chemical and the concentrations at which the adverse effects are expected to occur in humans. Toxicity values should be accompanied by a brief description of the overall data base and the particular study from which the value was derived. In addition, a notation should be made of the critical effect and any uncertainty factors used in the calculation. For any RfD value obtained from IRIS, a notation of the degree of confidence associated with the determination should also be included. To aid in the risk characterization, it should be indicated if absorption efficiency was considered and also what exposure averaging periods are appropriate for comparison with the value."

NOTE: Although the toxicity values presented in the formal and condensed toxicity profiles were correct at the time they were produced, these values are subject to change. Users should refer to the RAGS Part A format for the current toxicity values and information.

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